Ireland legend Brian O'Driscoll has admitted that this year's Six Nations could be his last.

The 34-year-old, who returns to the Ireland side for Saturday's opener against Wales having missed the autumn internationals through injury, has been a feature of the Six Nations for over a decade and holds the Championship try-scoring record but it appears the forthcoming campaign will be his final bow.

"There's a strong possibility it could be my last," O'Driscoll told BBC Sport. "There's every chance it's my last Six Nations but I haven't really allowed myself to start thinking about finishing. If you start thinking about it too early, you're one foot into retirement already. I'm contracted [with the Irish Rugby Football Union] until the summer and I'll see how my body feels."

Ireland coach Declan Kidney opted to retain No.8 Jamie Heaslip as his captain for the Six Nations but O'Driscoll remains one of the leading candidates to skipper the British & Irish Lions on their tour to Australia later this year.

"It would be an honour that would be too big to pass up again," said O'Driscoll, who led the Lions to New Zealand in 2005 only to be injured in the opening moments of the first Test. "I got to do it once, albeit for only 25 seconds of a Test match [O'Driscoll was injured early in the first Test against New Zealand in 2005], so it would be nice to get another opportunity. But first things first, I've got to get myself into a position to get myself on the tour and deserve my spot."